What you as a Tennessee parent should know ahead of Wednesday's student walkouts

Stoneman Douglas graduate Abby Brafman speaks about the shooting in Florida and how the school will 'change the nation'
Michael Schwab / USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Lenoir City High School students sit out of class to protest gun violence on Feb. 20, 2018. A student-planned 17-minute walkout at the school led to an all-day discussion.(Photo: Michael Patrick/News Sentinel)

In Tennessee, the protest times will vary, but the goal of students is to honor the victims of the most recent school shooting and speak out about student safety.

Which schools are and are not participating in the walkouts?

The walkouts and protests are mostly student-led. No Tennessee school district has actively promoted the protests.

As such, Tennessee protests will range from large to small, with some schools' students not participating at all. Also, many school districts — such as Shelby County Schools, Knox County Schools and Wilson County Schools — will be out for spring break.

Nationwide, hundreds of thousands are expected to participate.

And although the walkouts will happen mostly at high schools, some middle schools will also take part in the protests.

For example, Thurman Francis Arts Academy — an arts-based magnet school for students in grades K-8 in Smyrna — addressed the possibility of students joining in the movement after meeting with the student council.

"While I'm not encouraging this walkout, I will support any students who choose to recognize those 17 victims in such a way," TFAA principal Jeff McCann said in a letter to parents, noting only students in grades 5 would allowed to participate.

McCann encouraged parents to talk to their children about the purpose and meaning behind the activity, and he's charged students to "make positive contact with 17 students they normally might not interact with."

How are school teachers and leaders reacting to the protests?

Administrators and teachers across the state have called the day a learning experience for students.

Metro Nashville Public Schools officials emailed families in early March saying they "recognized student activism is part of the learning process and we respect and support our students’ right to free speech."

Overton High School teacher Meredith McGinnis said teachers have supported students in how to plan and participate in a protest. The students have conducted several meetings on how best to organize the day in cooperation with the school's administration.

"The students really see everything," McGinnis said. "I am encouraged that the community will get to see how educated high school students are. It is taken for granted."

Will your student be suspended for protesting?

Outside of Tennessee, some district leaders have threatened students with a suspension if they stage a walkout.

For example, Curtis Rhodes, superintendent for the Needville Independent School District in Texas, said he knew "there is a 'movement' attempting to stage walkouts/disruptions of the school" and he threatened that students who participate in "any type of protest or awareness" will be suspended for three days.

Many have issued guidance for the conduct they expect from students, including in Nashville and Rutherford schools. Some have been clear that disorderly conduct or walkouts off campus won't be tolerated.

Williamson County Schools Director Mike Looney said in an email Wednesday to parents that "the district is supporting the students' constitutional right to assemble peacefully and to engage in free speech."

But he also issued a warning that no student will be permitted to leave campus without a parent's consent. He asked parents to outline to students the district's rules for students.

"We will not tolerate behavior that disrupts school operations or threatens the safety and order of our schools," his email says.

In Nashville public schools, students wanting to leave campus will also need to be checked out by a parent, according to a district spokeswoman.

What are schools doing to keep kids safe?

School officials across the state are citing safety as the foremost issue during the day's protests.

Every school district has a different security plan.

For example, instead of the highly visible walkouts, Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans said some principals are suggesting students consider indoor assemblies in "secure areas," such as gymnasiums, campus courtyards or lobbies of annex buildings.

Nashville principals also have school plans to address safety concerns.

Michelle Michaud, the Nashville district's spokeswoman, said principals have been mindful of giving students the necessary time and space to peacefully protest without feeling worried or fearful.

At Overton High School, Principal Jill Pittman said there are indoor and outdoor spaces the school is providing for students to participate in the day's events. Pittman also said educators are mindful that this is a day for and about students' voice.

"This is a time for them to represent on their own without adults speaking for them," she said. "We want to honor that.